Govt employees strike is illegal Principle of "No Work, No Pay" will be invoked: Government
The Government has declared the strike by the Government employees from March 21, 2011 as illegal and warned that anyone found not discharging their assigned duties during the strike period, shall be treated as absent and the principle of "no work, no pay" will be invoked in all such unauthorized absence. Pursuant to an earlier strike notice issued by the GGEA on December 2, 2010, Government had issued an order under Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) which is still in force.
The Government today in a press note maintained that a section of Government employees purportedly under the aegis of Goa Government Employees' Association (GGEA) has called for an indefinite strike from March 21, 2011 onwards. GGEA is agitating with the Government, seeking up-gradation of pay scales to various sections of the Government employees on unsustainable grounds of providing similar benefits to other employees where parity of pay scale was given. GGEA has objected giving parity to few category employees and requested to withdraw such benefits given to them.
Government had already clarified to GGEA, that Government of Goa is amongst the first few States, which agreed to implement 6th Pay Commission and any further upgradation will tantamount to going beyond provisions of the 6th Pay Commission, which is neither financially affordable for the State nor an acceptable proposition. Certain anomalies pointed out by GGEA have already been rectified and an order has been issued to this effect.
The Government had considered the genuine demands of the employees and new points raised are under consideration. As on date GGEA has no recognition and therefore the strike called by this Association will be illegal. The Government therefore urges all employees to desist from joining the strike called by this Association and to instead perform their official duties. At present, the Budget session of the Goa Legislative Assembly is in session. The Government appeals to the employees not to be misled by the said Association and to report to work for the smooth functioning of the Government for the welfare of the people of the State of Goa.
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